Understanding how animals communicate and behave in their natural environment
Official title: Computational attribution and fusion of vocalizations, social behavior, and neural recordings in a naturalistic environment
Funded at New York University · NIH-11017858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how the sounds animals make and their movements can tell us more about who they are and how they behave, using cool technology to help us understand their social interactions better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $361,120 |
| NIH project number | 5R34DA059513-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include researchers and practitioners in animal behavior, ecology, and neuroscience.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include those not involved in animal studies or those focused solely on human health.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social vocalizations and movement-generated sounds can reveal important information about animals' identities and behaviors. By using advanced computational methods and integrating acoustic data with neural recordings and video, the project aims to understand how these sounds influence social interactions among animals. The researchers will develop tools to accurately attribute sounds to individual animals in complex environments, which will help in predicting how animals respond to different social contexts. This approach combines cutting-edge technology with naturalistic observation to provide a comprehensive view of animal communication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of animal behavior and communication, potentially leading to better conservation strategies and animal welfare practices.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using similar approaches to study animal communication and behavior, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanes, Dan Harvey — New York University
- Study coordinator: Sanes, Dan Harvey
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adolescent girls in Uganda: a long-term look at how money empowerment and family support affect HIV prevention, care, and mental health
A long-term study in rural Uganda will test whether an intervention that combines economic empowerment and family strengthening can help HIV-negative and HIV-affected adolescent girls move safely into young adulthood.
-
Long-term HIV prevention and mental health support for adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
A long-term program in rural Uganda tests if combining economic support and family strengthening helps teenage girls stay HIV-free and improve mental health as they grow into young adults.
-
SNEngage: How Social Networks and Supports Shape Mental Health Care for Black and Latino Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
A long-term study following Black and Latino individuals with serious mental illness to learn how their social networks affect engagement with mental health services and overall well-being.
-
Endosomal signaling and cancer pain control in oral cancer
A study to understand how signals inside nerve cells and supportive cells contribute to pain in people with oral cancer.
-
Accelerating hydroxyurea use for sickle cell disease in Nigeria
A pragmatic study in Nigeria aims to help doctors use hydroxyurea more consistently for people with sickle cell disease.
-
Preventing youth violence by better delivering proven programs to middle schools
A large study in middle schools will test practical ways to help teachers implement a well-known social-emotional learning program so it reaches students as intended.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.